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Fujifilm unveils non-retro X-S1 superzoom bridge cam

Fujifilm's zoom-tastic X-S1 complete hattrick for X Series

24 November 2011/12:01GMT

There's a new bridge camera on the block – Fujifilm's retro-styled X Series is making room for the X-S1. As you can probably tell, the bridge cam breaks the old-skool mould of the X Series by ditching the old-fashioned overcoat and taking on the guise of a DSLR, complimented nicely with a premium rubberised coating and selection of metal dials. It has taken a cue from the desirably-styled X10, though, by housing the same 12MP EXR CMOS sensor – so it'll snap great pics in low light – alongside a whopping 26x zoom and a tilting 3in LCD display.

The S-X1's 26x optical zoom lens throws up a range of 24-624mm – the equivalent of a 35mm analogue camera – and that impressive zoom is further bolstered by digital magnification, boosting its zoom capabilities to a monumental 52x – a twitcher or peeping Tom's dream. Its extensive zoom range should make reaching those hard to see subjects an absolute doddle – without, according to Fujifilm, any drop in picture quality.

Not only has it got long distance zoom functionality covered, but you'll be able to shoot your subjects right down to 30cm, or trigger its Super Macro Mode taking that number down to 1cm for incredibly detailed close-ups. Its nine blade aperture means you can achieve great bokeh effect shots – so photos with a blurry background, with the subject in focus – and as ever, Auto EXR mode removes all responsibility from the user for hassle free shooting. Auto ISO has you covered, too. And because it packs the same sensor as the X10, the X-S1 is capable of shooting high-quality snaps in all kinds of light conditions.

So whether you want your camera experience to be as simple as picking up a compact or you want to get your hands dirty and take control of your photos in manual mode, the X-S1 has you covered. On the home-made movies front, 1080p Full HD video recording is on the menu at 30fps, complemented by stereo sound.

According to Fujifilm, which is touting the X-S1 as the reinvention of the bridge cam, it's due for a UK release in February for around £700, so we've pencilled it in our diary and hope to put those claims to the test test in the new year.